Introduction to Management

Quick Summary: The term “management” is an all-encompassing word that touches every aspect of our lives.

Abstract:

The term “management” has been defined as the process of dealing with things or people. That is certainly what this entire collection is all about! Virtually everything that we do in our personal and professional lives fits into that definition. The critical element is HOW we deal with things and people. This entire collection, including this chapter, focuses on recommendations and observations about “How” to interact.

If the number of different titles on a particular subject in the business section of a book store is an indication of its importance, then Management is, by far, the number one topic. This is logical since virtually every aspect of business involves the management of people, things, numbers, or even one’s self. It then follows that the number of articles in this collection in the section on Management should be the largest. It is not; not by a long shot! In fact, this section consists of only 22 of the 550 plus articles in the entire collection. The reason is simple: there are management aspects that are best covered in every other chapter and in most of the sections in each chapter that are topic specific.

Another equally important factor for this chapter’s brevity is the fact that there are so many outstanding books on the subject that are readily available. Repeating their messages, in abbreviated form in this collection, would not do them justice. Finally, college courses and highly experienced management consultants that can provide individualized guidance are also readily available.

Think of the articles in this chapter as a basic potpourri of somewhat related ideas that were addressed in a standalone chapter rather than be included elsewhere. It is no accident that the chapter is the last chapter in the, “Managing a Company,” volume of this collection. The four other chapters in this volume are:

Growing Pains

Responding versus Reacting

Human Capital

You: The CEO

The titles of the other chapters in the other volumes in this collection will quickly identify the universal nature of the need for management in every subject listed.

Chapter Sections and Summaries

Meetings

Unfortunately, meetings are a necessary evil for every organization that has more than one person. They will always be necessary, but with some forethought and discipline, instead of being “evil” they can be highly effective methods of communication and decision-making.

Decision Making

Decision making and meetings do not necessarily go hand-in-hand. Developing crisp and consistent approaches to making decisions and involving only selected individuals is the key to creating a culture of responsiveness.

Managers and Leaders

This section could have easily been titled, “Managers vs Leaders,” to emphasize the conflict that often occurs in some organizations. Instead, both managers and leaders have distinct roles. Some individuals easily assume both roles, while others do not.

Accountability

Accountability and responsibility must clearly be linked together. For both, individuals, not departments or committees, need to clearly understand if and when they are tasked with both.

Goals

Measurable and definitive goals need to be clearly established for virtually every activity in an organization. Without goals, there can be no true accountability.

Chapter Articles and Summaries

Introduction to Management

The term management is an all-encompassing word that touches every aspect of our lives.